This archive report was first published on 7 July 2021.
On July 7, 2021, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya announced that all public health facilities in Kakamega County would be empowered to run independently, thanks to the County Health Facilities Improvement Fund Act, 2020.
Under the new law, public hospitals will have full control over their finances, allowing them to utilise 100% of their generated funds for improving services and infrastructure development. This means that hospitals will be able to hire staff on a contract basis to address the current shortage, and manage their programs without relying on the county Treasury for funding.
Speaking at the Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital, Governor Oparanya emphasized the importance of prudent financial management, warning that misuse of the new autonomy could lead to corruption. He also noted that public hospitals have been generating millions of shillings in the past, which were diverted to other projects at the expense of the health sector.
According to County Health Executive Collins Matemba, the new law allows for the creation of a special fund that will be managed by an advisory committee chaired by the County Finance Chief Officer. This fund will provide public hospitals with access to financial resources for medical supplies, equipment, operations, and maintenance of infrastructure.
Matemba also highlighted the potential for public hospitals to venture into new medical services that were previously unfeasible due to financial constraints. For instance, Kakamega General Hospital generates over Sh100 million annually, which could be used to expand its services and infrastructure, making it one of the best hospitals in the region.
